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Is Franchising Doomed?
Strategies for Negotiating with a Franchisee and Franchisor
Before committing to a franchise business, consider...
In OTG New York, Inc. v. Ottogi America, Inc., OTG was the exclusive regional distributor for food company Ottogi from 2008–23, during which Ottogi shipped inventory to OTG’s New Jersey warehouse. In 2024, Ottogi terminated...more
A federal court in Wisconsin recently transferred a franchisor’s breach of contract lawsuit to Indiana, the location of the franchisee, even though the parties’ supply agreement contained a Wisconsin forum selection clause....more
A federal court in California recently granted Ringside Development Company’s motion to stay a franchisee-initiated lawsuit pending resolution through alternative dispute resolution. Jameson v. Ringside Development Company,...more
Deciding whether to choose state or federal court can be outcome determinative. This is particularly important in deciding to remove a case from state to federal court. Some state franchise statutes clearly allow a court to...more
A federal court in Colorado denied WD Ventures, LLC’s motion to dismiss for forum non conveniens pursuant to the forum selection clause in the parties’ franchise agreement indicating that the parties contemplated federal...more
In Alamo Intermediate II Holdings, LLC. v. Birmingham Alamo Movies, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, denied franchise owner Hunter Renfroe’s motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction. The...more
A federal court in Texas has denied an individual owner’s motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction despite the fact that he had not signed the relevant franchise agreement or corporate guaranty in his individual...more
A federal court in Florida recently dismissed a franchisee’s lawsuit sua sponte pursuant to the forum-selection clause in the parties’ franchise agreements, finding the clause valid, mandatory, and enforceable. Kava Culture...more
A federal court in California denied a subfranchisor’s motion to transfer venue, holding that its Operator Agreement constituted a franchise agreement, thus making its forum-selection clause void under the California...more
A federal court in Nevada recently transferred a franchisor’s trademark infringement lawsuit to Illinois, the location of the franchise, declining to rule on the franchisor’s motion for preliminary injunction. Hofbräuhaus of...more
Ninth Circuit Reverses Class Action Settlement Approval and Fee Award - The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed the approval of a $10 million voucher settlement and a $2.6 million attorneys’ fee award in a class...more
Two Illinois Federal Courts Deny Class Certification in Anti-Poaching Class Actions Against Franchisors - Two federal courts in Illinois have rejected motions to certify classes of employees who worked in franchised...more
Welcome to The Franchise Memorandum by Lathrop GPM. Below are summaries of recent legal developments of interest to franchisors. Post-Termination Injunction: Noncompete Covenants - California Federal Court Enforces...more
Colorado Federal Court Applies Forum Selection Clause to Non-Signatory Entities Controlled by Former Franchisees - A federal court in Colorado held that entities controlled by former franchisees were bound by the forum...more
A recent decision in Allegra Holdings, LLC v. Davis demonstrates that courts are enforcing forum selection clauses in favor of out-of-state franchisors and against in-state franchisees, notwithstanding franchise anti-waiver...more
FRANCHISEE 101: Unsigned Franchise Agreement Binds Franchisee's Shareholder - Texas Appeals Court recently held in Pritchett v. Gold's Gym Franchising, LLC that a Texas forum-selection clause in a Franchise Agreement...more